Game comprising aircraft



Nov. 7, 1961 E. HASENECZ 3,007,701

GAME COMPRISING AIRCRAFT Filed Sept. 2, 195a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ass I I'H w I H INVENTOR. n I EDWARD HASENECZ '3 BY n M H m ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1961 E. HASENECZ GAME COMPRISING AIRCRAFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fiied Sept. 2, 19'58 .R O mm Es MM H D. R A M D E Y B on m m \wn Om Nn H. k .\x m vm ATTORNEY 3,007,701 GAME COMPRISING AIRCRAFT Edward Hasenecz, 1634 E. 3rd St, Bethlehem, Pa. Filed Sept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,407 7 Claims. (Cl. 273-95) The present invention is directed to a game comprising aircraft, and more particularly to a game in which toy aircraft are hurled onto an aircraft carrier by the players.

This invention has as an object the provision of a game requiring skill in the manipulation of toy aircraft.

This invention has as another object the provision of a game in which the landing of aircraft upon an aircraft carrier is closely simulated.

This invention has as still another object the provision of a game in which the basic principles of aerodynamics may be taught to youngsters in an interesting manner.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the game of the present invention revealing the landing of aircraft.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on line 22 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is the first stage in which the aircraft carrier component of the game of the present invention is collapsed.

FIGURE 5 is the completely collapsed disposition of the aircraft carrier component of the game of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged plan View from above of an aircraft used in the game of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view revealing a modified embodiment of the game of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGURES 1 through 7 inclusive, the game of the present invention is designated generally as 10. The game 10 includes the aircraft carrier 12 and the aircraft 14. As shown in FIGURE 1, the game may be played with a plurality of aircraft 14.

The aircraft carrier 12 is formed from a plurality of panels, four such panels 16, 18, 20, and 22 being shown in the illustrated embodiment. It is to be understood that a larger or smaller number of panels may be utilized to form the aircraft carrier 12 of the present invention. The panels are hinged togetehr by flexible strips, such as tape strips 24, 26, and 28. The tape strips may be formed from gummed paper or gummed cellophane. Tape strip 24 is disposed above the panels 16 and 18 and overlaps the marginal edges of such panels 16 and 18. Tape strip 26 is disposed beneath the panels 18 and 20 and overlaps the adjacent marginal edges of panels 18 and 20. Tape strip 28 is disposed above the panels 20 and 22 and overlaps the marginal adjacent edges of the panels 20 and 22. The tape strips 24, 26, and 28 are flexible and function as a hinge. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 4, the panel 16 may l United States Patent 0 3,007,701 Patented Nov. 7, 1961 be pivoted about tape strip 24 so as to overlie the panel 18, and the panel 22 may be pivoted about the tape strip 28 so as to overlie the panel 20. The panels 18 and 20 may be pivoted about the tape strip 26, as shown in FIG- URE 5, so that such panels 18 and 20 are juxtaposed.

The aircraft carrier 12 is supported by the support members 30, 32, 34, and 36 which are pivotably secured to the underside of respective panels 16, 18, 20, and 2 2. Inasmuch as each of the support members 30, 32, 34, and 36 is of identical construction to the remaining support members, a description of support member 36 will be adequate in respect to the remaining support members 30, 32, and 34.

The support member 36 comprises a pair of hinged end pieces 38 and 40 which are pivotally secured to the underside of panel 22 and extend along the length of panel 22 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft carrier 12 and spaced a short distance inwardly from the sides of the aircraft carrier 12. The end pieces 38 and 40 may be pivotably hinged by tape strips, such as the respective tape strips 42 and 44 to the underside of panel 22. Both end pieces 38 and 40 are provided with a notch or slit 46, preferably midway between the ends of such end pieces 38 and 40. Such notch or slit 46 extends upwardly for about one-half the height of each of the end pieces 38 and 40.

A pivotable transverse member 48 extends across the underside of panel 22. The transverse member 48 is pivotably secured by tape strip 50 to the underside of panel 22. The ends of the transverse member 48 are notched and comprise laterally projecting feet 52. Each of the feet 52 of transverse member 48 may be received within the notch 46 in the end pieces 38 and 40. When the feet 52 are so-received, the end pieces 38 and 40 are maintained vertically upright, as is the transverse member 48, with the bottom-most edge of said end pieces 38 and 40 and said transverse member 48 being flush. This provides a stable support for the panel 22. As each of the support members 30, 32, 34, and 36 are of the same height, the deck of aircraft carrier 12, which comprises the panels 16, 18, 20, and 22, is maintained at a uniform spaced distance above the supporting surface upon which the aircraft carrier 12 is rested.

In the illustrated embodiment, two arresting cable assemblies 54 and 56 are shown. However, it is to be understood that a larger or smaller number of arresting cable assemblies may be utilized for the aircraft carrier 12 in the game of the present invention. Inasmuch as the arresting cable assemblies 54 and 56 are of similar construction, the description of arresting cable assembly 56 will be adequate for the purposes of understanding the construction of the arresting cable assembly 54.

The arresting cable assembly 56 comprises a pair of anchorage members 58 and 58. Such anchorage members are slip-fitted onto the panel 22. By forming the anchorage members 58 from a pair of spaced resilient tongues 60 between which is sandwiched the connecting end member 62, the anchorage members 58 may be pressfitted onto the panel 22 so as to securedly grasp such panel 22. It may prove desirable to wedge the anchorage members 58 onto the panel 22 in the region of the tape strip 28 so as to take advantage of the added thickness provided by the tape strip 28.

The arresting cable posts 64 and 64 are provided on the anchorage members 58 and 58. Such posts 64 may comprise a pin which passes through a spacer 66, the uppermost tongue 60, the connecting end member 62,

and the bottommost tongue 60. The tongues 60 and 60 are preferably generally rectangular, and it is desirable, as seen in FIGURE 1, to have the posts 64 disposed offcenter in respect to the center axis which is parallel to the two long sides of the tongues 60 and 60.

The arresting cable arms 68 are pivotably carried on the posts 64 of the anchorage members 58 intermediate the heads of such posts and the spacers 66.

The arresting cable 70 extends between the arresting cable arms 68 of the anchorage members 58, such cable arms 68 of the anchorage members 58 being pivotably carried on the posts 64. The tautness of the arresting cable 70 may be adjusted by pivoting the cable arms 68 outwardly. Preferably, as seen in FIGURE 1, when the arresting cable 70 is at maximum tautness, the arresting cable arms 68 are not entirely perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft carrier 12, since having such arresting cable arms 68 disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft carrier 12 would render it diflicult for the cable 70 to be pulled forwardly upon engagement with an aircraft 14. By passing the arresting cable 70 through an opening in each of the arresting cable arms 68 and providing a knot 72 at each end of the arresting cable 70, the aforesaid maximum tautness of the arresting cable 70 may be closely controlled.

A barrier comprising posts 71 and 71 and resilient band 73 stretches across the deck of panel 16. The posts 71 and 71 are frictionally fitted within apertures in the panel 16. The band 16 may comprise a rubber band or the like.

The aircraft 14 comprises a generally planar body 74, which may be cut from paper or the like, and which is preferably in the silhouette of aircraft currently being used upon aircraft carriers. The aircraft 14 is provided with a simulated rudder 76 which is generally perpendicular to the planar body 74. The rudder 76 may be formed of planar material, such as the paper used to form the planar body 74.

The aircraft 14 is provided with a body member 78 which consists of an elongated straight strip of balsam or other light wood or material, and which is adhesively secured to the underside of the body 74. The body member 78 extends from the nose of the aircraft 14 to a point approximately equal to the front portion of the rudder 76. The front portion of the body member 78 may be weighted, in the illustrated embodiment a tack 80 projecting into the bottom of the body member 78 is used to weight the front portion of the aircraft 14 and provide for longitudinal weighted stability.

The front edge of the wings 82 are provided on their undersurface with the reinforcing strips 84, preferably formed of thin balsam members. The strips may be widened along the inside front edge of the wings 82 to provide an anchorage for the landing gear 86 of the aircraft 14.

The body 74 of aircraft 14 is provided with a generally elliptical slot 88 at about the center of the aircraft 14 on the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 14. The elevation control stick 90 extends through the slot 88 of the body 74 and is received midway between the ends of pivot rod 92. The pivot rod 92 is carried within a semicircular notch on the uppermost surface of body member 78 and is held in position by being sandwiched intermediate the body member 78 and the underside of body 74, with its lateral displacement being prevented by the engagement of the elevation control stick 90 with the walls of the slot 88. The elevation control flaps 94, which function as landing flaps in conventional aircraft are secured to the pivot rod 92 on either side of the body member 78. The elevation control flaps 94 may be pivoted between a position in which such elevation control flaps 94 are juxtaposed to the underside of the body 74 and a position in which the elevation control flaps 94 are perpendicular to the plane of the body 74,

such regulation being accomplished with a high degree of precision by the movement of the elevation control stick prior to the launching of the aircraft 14.

The cable engaging hook 96 is pivotably secured to the rear portion of body member 78. Prior to launching, the cable engaging hook 96 may be pivoted to a disposition, such as shown by the aircraft at the right of FIGURE 3, in which such cable engaging hook 96 is projecting downwardly well below the bottom of the landing gear 86. The slot from which the cable engaging hook 96 projects may be provided with a stop cross member 98 at the bottom of the slot and a stop cross member 100 at the top of the slot to limit the pivotation of the cable engaging hook 96 about the pivot 102 to predetermined limits.

For different designs of aircraft, the tack 80 may be positioned at different positions along the body member 78 to provide for weight stability.

In the embodiment of the aircraft carrier 104 shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, the sole change is in the arresting cable assembly.

In the arresting cable assembly 106 of carrier 104 a fixed post 108 is substituted for the spacer 66 and arresting cable arms 68 of the arresting cable assembly 56 which has heretofore been described. The post 108 is provided with a perforation which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft carrier 104. The arresting cable 110 extends through the perforations in the posts 108. The arresting cable 110 is provided with weights, such as lead balls 112, at each of its ends, which weights permit the arresting cable 110 to be held taut.

The weights, namely the lead balls 112, are sufliciently spaced to the outside of the posts 108, so as to permit the arresting cable 110 to be advanced an appreciable amount prior to the engagement of the innermost, of the lead balls 112 with the post 108 which terminates the advancement of the arresting cable 110.

The operation of the game 10 of the present invention is as follows:

The aircraft carrier 12 may be collapsed to the disposition shown in FIGURE 5 in which each of the tape strips 24, 26, and 28 are overlapped, so that the panels 16, 18, 20, and 22 overlap with the support members 30 and 36 being outermost, and the support members 32 and 34 being received within the aircraft carrier 12. In this disposition the aircraft carrier 12 may be readily transported about.

When the game is to be played, the aircraft carrier 12 is opened, with the panels 16, 18, 20, and 22 being spread outwardly and the support members 30, 32, 34, and 36 being disposed therebeneath, so that the aircraft carrier 12 assumes the disposition shown in FIGURE 3.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 7 inclusive, the arresting cables 70 of the arresting cable assemblies 54 and 56 are pulled taut in the manner described above, and the first player steps away from the carrier 12 and launches his aircraft 14, one at a time, towards the carrier 12, attempting to land such aircraft 14 on the deck of the carrier 12 with the cable engaging hook 96 of each aircraft engaging the cable 70 of the arresting cable assembly 54 or the arresting cable assembly 56, with such arresting cable 70 pulling the aircraft to a halt. Thus, for a perfect landing, as shown at the left in FIGURE 3, the cable engaging hook 96 of the aircraft 14 engages the arresting cable 70 midway between its ends and pulls the same forward. The forward motion of the aircraft 14 is then brought to a halt when the arresting cable arms 68 have been pivoted from the disposition of maximum tautness for the arresting cable 70 shown to the right in 'FIGURE 1 to the disposition of minimum tautness for the arresting cable 70 shown to the left in FIGURE 1. By providing the posts 64 offcenter in respect to the center axis of the rectangular tongues 60 and 60 which form the anchorage members 58 and 53 of the arresting cable assembly, the possibility of the aircraft 14 pulling the anchorage members 58 and 58 from the carrier 12 is substantially eliminated.

While the drawings illustrate perfect landings, it is to be understood that the aircraft 14 may be landed without the degree of perfection shown in the drawings. Thus, the aircraft 14 may roll along the deck of aircraft carrier 12 with its wheels of its landing gear 86 depressing the arresting cable 70, with its hook 96 then engaging the arresting cable 70.

The angle of descent and approach of the aircraft 14 may be regulated by pivotation f the elevation control stick 90 prior to the launching of the aircraft 14. In order to effect a perfect landing, skill is required, and the angle of approach is a most important factor.

After the first aircraft 14 is landed it is manually removed and the arresting cable 70 reset, then the second aircraft 14 is landed by engaging the same with the arresting cable 70 of the arresting cable assembly 56. This is repeated with as many aircraft as the player has.

Any aircraft 14 which overshoot the arresting cable assemblies in landing may be arrested or halted by engagement with the band 73 carried by posts 71 and 71. The band 73 may be positioned at a height such that it engages the front end of the aircraft 14. If desired, a larger number of arresting cable assemblies may be mounted upon the aircraft carrier 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 the identical mode of playing is utilized for the game 10, except that the movement of the arresting cables 110 is effected through the posts 108 of each arresting cable assembly, with the termination of the movement of each arresting cable 110 being effected by the engagement of the lead balls 112 of such arresting cable 110 with the posts 108.

The game of the present invention enables the user to learn a great deal of practical information relative to aircraft. Thus, practical information concerning the angle of descent may be obtained by the manipulation of the elevation control stick 90 and concomitant Variation in the positioning of the elevation control flaps 94. Moreover, the user can by experimentation see the effect of varying the position of the tack Sit on the body member The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A game which includes a simulated aircraft carrier and simulated aircraft, said aircraft carrier comprising at least one rigid planar surfaced panel, an end piece pivotably hinged to the bottom of said panel so that said end iece may be pivoted from an upright position to a position substantially parallel to the plane of said panel, means on said end piece removably connecting said end piece to a transverse member, said end piece and transverse member supporting said panel on a fixed support surface with its planar surface uppermost, and an arresting cable assembly comprising anchorage members operatively secured to the opposite sides of said panel, an arresting cable movably supported intermediate said anchorage members at a spaced distance above the planar surface of said panel, with said arresting cable being normally supported by said anchorage members in a relatively taut disposition and capable of being urged by engagement with the aircraft to a slack disposition, with the major portion of the length of said arresting cable being positioned in both of said dispositions above said panel, said aircraft comprising a body having dependent landing gear and a cable engaging hook pivotably mounted to the rear of said landing gear, said cable engaging hook being pivotable between a disposition in which it projects beneath the landing gear and a disposition in which it is appreciably closer to the aircrafts body.

2. A game in accordance with claim 1 in which the aircraft carrier comprises a plurality of rigid panels hingedly secured together, with each of said panels having a separate end piece and transverse member identical with said first mentioned end piece and transverse member.

3. A game which includes a simulated aircraft carrier and simulated aircraft, said aircraft carrier comprising a plurality of rigid panels hingedly secured together, with each of said panels having collapsible means for supporting it on its underside, said panels being disposed with their uppermost surface horizontally aligned in the open disposition of said aircraft carrier when the collapsible means beneath each of said panels is fully extended, an arresting cable assembly comprising anchorage members operatively secured to the opposite edges of one of said panels, an arresting cable movably supported intermediate said anchorage members at a spaced distance above the planar surface of said one panel, with said arresting cable being normally supported by said anchorage members in a relatively taut disposition and capable of being urged by engagement with an aircraft to a slack disposition, with the major portion of the length of said arresting cable being positioned in both of said dispositions above said panel, said aircraft comprising a body having dependent landing gear and a cable engaging hook pivotably mounted on said aircraft to the rear of said landing gear, said cable engaging hook being pivotable between a disposition in which it projects beneath the landing gear and a disposition in which it is appreciably closer to the aircrafts body, each of the anchorage members comprises an arresting cable arm to which the arresting cable is secured, and a post which is clamped to a side of a panel, with said arresting cable arm being pivotably secured to said post.

4. A game in accordance with claim 3 in which the post of each of the anchorage members is eccentrically disposed in respect to the clamping means which secures it to the side of a panel.

5. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said end piece is a fiat member parallel to a side edge of said panel, said transverse member lying in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to said edge of said panel, and said transverse member being pivotably hinged to said panel.

6. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means on said end piece is a slot extending from an edge on said end piece, said slot receiving a foot on said transverse member.

7. A game which includes a simulated aircraft carrier and simulated aircraft, said aircraft carrier comprising a. plurality of rigid planar panels, hinges interconnecting adjacent panels so that said panels may be pivoted to a collapsed position when not in use, each panel being provided with a separate means for supporting said panels in a horizontal plane on a support surface, each of said means including a fiat end piece having an end surface engaging the lowermost surface of a panel, the opposite end surface on said end piece engaging said support surface, each end piece lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said panels, a flat transverse member interlocked with each of said end pieces, each transverse member lying in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said panels and angled with respect to the plane of its respective end piece, each transverse member having an end surface engaging the lowermost surface of a panel, an arresting cable assembly comprising anchorage members operatively secured to the opposite edges of one of said panels, an arresting cable movably supported intermediate said anchorage members at a spaced distance above the planar surface of said one panel, with said arresting cable being normally supported by said anchorage members in a relatively taut disposition and capable of being urged to a slack disposition by engagement with a cable engaging hook on an aircraft, and said aircraft comprising a body having a cable engaging hook pivotably mounted on the rear end of said aircraft, said cable engaging hook being pivotable between a disposition in which it projects beneath said aircraft and a disposition in which it lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said body of said 5 aircraft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Gray July 11, 1944 Male Oct. 31, 1950 Shannon Jan. 22, 1952 Turner July 8, 1952 Barn'nger Aug. 4, 1953 Roehrl Mar. 16, 1954 Cotton Apr. 23, 1957 Scheider July 1, 1958 Daniels July 22, 1958 Snow Nov. 18, 1958 Muramatsu Dec. 15, 1959 

